Garden Grove officer cleared in fatal shooting

Officials announced in a letter that Officer Gary Coulter was justified in the shooting of Matthew Lane who lead police on a pursuit Dec. 1 through Garden Grove that ended in a Chevron gas station on Westminster Boulevard and Seal Beach Boulevard. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER

SANTA ANA – A 15-year Garden Grove Police Department officer was cleared Friday in the shooting death of a 35-year-old man who led police on a chase through two cities.

Matthew Lane, 35, was determined to be dangerous before a series of crimes he committed Dec. 1. Orange County District Attorney’s Office investigators said that because of Lane’s background and dangerous actions that Officer Gary Coulter was justified to ensure public safety to shoot and kill him that evening.

Lane had been court ordered to stay away from his estranged wife and two children because of claims of domestic violence. Lane’s wife notified authorities that he violated the order Nov. 29 and Dec. 1. Authorities said he hid in his estranged wife’s home about noon Dec. 1 and stole $15 and a debit card before the children reportedly saw him flee from the home. He was seen driving a white Lexus IS 250 with paper license plates.

Lane’s estranged wife reported the residential burglary to Garden Grove police, who then went to the Cypress motel where Lane told his wife he was staying. The Lexus was seen in the parking lot but officers did not find Lane until he drove past the Garden Grove home around 4:30 p.m. the same day.

Officials followed Lane and broadcast the car’s information over an emergency channel. As the chase continued, authorities learned the Lexus was a possible stolen vehicle and that Lane was a parolee-at-large.

Officers followed Lane through Garden Grove and into Seal Beach and Leisure World before he stopped in the parking lot of a Hampton Inn and Suites on Seal Beach Boulevard.

Lane attempted to flee on foot through the hotel lobby and a Denny’s restaurant before arriving at a gas station.

Three people got out of a 2012 Ford Escape to pump gas when Lane jumped in the driver’s seat in what officials said was an attempt to steal the car and flee again. Two of the car’s occupants attempted to keep Lane from stealing the car before Coulter arrived and tried to pull him out of the vehicle.

Authorities said Lane pulled away, and when Coulter felt the SUV move forward, he fired six times at Lane before handcuffing him outside the Escape. Los Alamitos police Cpl. Robert Thome recovered a 2.5-inch blade from Lane’s possession before he was taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The autopsy report said Lane died from the gunshot wounds.

Police said Lane’s criminal history began in 1994 and includes convictions of assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer, child cruelty, evading a police officer, first-degree burglary, grand theft, possession of a dangerous weapon and vehicle theft.

Officials said an autopsy found amphetamine and methamphetamine in Lane’s system.

Officials announced in a letter that Officer Gary Coulter was justified in the shooting of Matthew Lane who lead police on a pursuit Dec. 1 through Garden Grove that ended in a Chevron gas station on Westminster Boulevard and Seal Beach Boulevard. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
Officials announced in a letter that Officer Gary Coulter was justified in the shooting of Matthew Lane who lead police on a pursuit Dec. 1 through Garden Grove that ended in a Chevron gas station on Westminster Boulevard and Seal Beach Boulevard KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER

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